By Moni Basu, CNN
(CNN) - When the nation pauses to remember 9/11 next week, a group of Tennesseans will gather at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Franklin for a commemoration. But it will be more than that.

On the program, called "The Threat in Our Backyard," is a lecture on Islam in public schools and a short film on Sharia finance.

It's a program organized by people who feel the American way of life is threatened by Islam - in particular, Sharia, or Islamic law.

Sharia would bring ruin to America, says Greg Johnson, vice president of the 9/12 Project Tennessee, a sponsor of the event that advocates for shifting government back to the intent of the Constitution's authors.

He says he has nothing against Muslims, but he takes issue with the tenets of Islam.

Sharia, he believes, would mean that practicing homosexuals would be put to death, women would not be educated and would be married off to men chosen by their fathers, and non-Muslims would become kafirs - nonbelievers - relegated to second-class citizenship.

A tide of anti-Islam sentiment has been swelling across America in recent months, strong enough to prompt one imam to wish for the days immediately after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when President George W. Bush declared that Muslims were not our enemies; that the war on terror was against a select few who acted upon their hate for America.

"In the 11 years since, we have retreated," says Abdullah Antepli, the Muslim chaplain at Duke University who likes to call himself the Blue Devil Imam.

Muslims make up less than 1% of the U.S. population. Yet, say Muslim advocates, they are a community besieged.

Hate crimes against Muslims spiked 50% in 2010, the last year for which FBI statistics are available. That was in a year marked by Muslim-bashing speech over the Islamic center near ground zero in Manhattan and Florida Pastor Terry Jones' threats to burn Qurans.

Antepli likens the current climate to McCarthyism. Left unchecked, he says, anti-Muslim fervor, like racism and anti-Semitism, has the potential to evolve into something dangerous.

This year's holy month of Ramadan, which ended August 19, was marred by a spate of violence at U.S. Islamic centers that included a fire, a homemade bomb and pig parts. The incidents were unprecedented in scale and scope, says the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

At least seven mosques and one cemetery were attacked in the United States during Ramadan, according to the council and other groups that track such incidents.

Particularly visible on the anti-Muslim radar has been the state of Tennessee, where a mosque opened during Ramadan after two years of controversy. The new Islamic center in Murfreesboro opened a few weeks ago after delays caused by legal wrangling, community protests and vandalism.

Also in Tennessee, incumbent congresswoman Diane Black found herself publicly opposing Sharia after her opponent Lou Ann Zelenik made it a campaign issue.

And Gov. Bill Haslam recently came under fire for hiring lawyer Samar Ali, a Muslim woman from Tennessee, to work in the international division of the state's economic development department.

Ali's critics called her Sharia-compliant and a website called Bill H(Islam) attacked the governor for pursuing "a policy that promotes the interest of Islamist (sic) and their radical ideology."

The website links to another that discusses, among other things, Islamic infiltration of public schools.

"I cannot stress enough the seriousness of their push to spread their religion to all non-Muslims throughout our country," says website author Cathy Hinners, another speaker at next Tuesday's 9/11 event in Franklin.

"Why? Why are Muslims so adamant that we accept their religion? The answer is simple. The answer is in black and white. The answer is in the Muslim brotherhoods "Strategic Goal for North America." It's called a global caliphate. One religion, one government, one law... called Sharia."

In November 2010, more than 70% of voters in Oklahoma approved a ballot initiative to amend the state's constitution that banned courts from looking at "legal precepts of other nations or cultures. Specifically, the courts shall not consider international law or Sharia law."

The amendment died after a federal court ruled it discriminatory.

"That was very explicitly anti-Islamic," says Glenn Hendrix, an Atlanta lawyer who specializes in international law. "It specifically referenced Sharia."

This year, 33 anti-Sharia or international law bills were introduced in 20 states, making it a key issue. Six states - Louisiana, South Dakota, Kansas, Arizona, Louisiana and Tennessee - adopted such laws prior to 2012.

Two Tennessee lawmakers attempted to pass a bill this year that would have made it a felony to practice Sharia, but it failed.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations says the anti-Sharia bills are based on draft legislation promoted by David Yerushalmi, an anti-Islamic lawyer from New York.

Yerushalmi founded the Society of Americans for National Existence, an organization devoted to promoting his theory that Islam is inherently seditious and Sharia is a "criminal conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups.

"Ideally," says the center, "he would outlaw Islam and deport its adherents altogether."

Hendrix says anti-Sharia legislation is not necessary since U.S. courts ultimately are beholden to U.S. law.

The American Bar Association, which opposes federal or state laws that impose blanket prohibitions on foreign laws, says such legislative initiatives stigmatize an entire religious community and "are inconsistent with some of the core principles and ideals of American jurisprudence."

"There is no push to install Sharia law in the U.S.," she says. "Anti-Sharia bills target the religious principles of Muslim Americans and fuel anti-Muslim rhetoric and bias. As a Sikh American whose community has too often become the target of hate, I believe it's time to stand against all forms of racism and religious bigotry."

An attack at a Wisconsin Sikh temple last month killed six people. Many believe the shooter mistook Sikhs for Muslims. A Sikh gas station attendant in Arizona was the first victim of reprisal after the 9/11 attacks.

Kaur blames tough economic times and an amplification of hateful speech for incidents like the temple shooting and the momentum behind the anti-Sharia campaign.

For Muslims, Sharia - which means "path to the watering hole" in Arabic - is the divine law revealed centuries ago in the Quran that governs all aspects of life. More often than not, it's the most sensational parts of Sharia - like cutting off a thief's hand - that garner the most publicity.

U.S. courts bump up against it in cases of divorces, inheritance, child custody, enforcement of money judgments and commercial disputes or tort actions.

A trial court in New Jersey, for instance, ruled that a husband, who was Muslim, lacked the criminal intent to commit sexual assault on his wife because Sharia permits a man to have sex with his wife whenever he wants.

That's the kind of ruling that fuels anti-Sharia activists.

Nashville health-care investor Andrew Miller says there's no room for democracy within Islamic ideology. All you have to do is look to any Islamic state, he says.

"If you wanted to pray to a large rock and that was your God, I could care less," he says. "But the minute you want to put a gun to my head and say you will pray to this large rock and your family will or you will pay the price, that's when I see a bully. I see an overbearing ideology that wants to force and coerce people.

Miller describes himself as a tolerant person but not when it comes to people dictating how others will live.

"That's antithetical to the freedoms that we value, the liberty we value," he says.

The message that Islam is evil has been repeated so many times - sometimes directly, sometimes in a more subtle fashion - that it has sunk in as reality in the hearts and minds of many Americans, says Antepli, the Duke chaplain.

Part of it is fear of the unknown, he says.

"I, too, would have a monstrous image of Islam if I did not know any better."

But another part of it is orchestrated, he says, referring to "well-organized and polished" anti-Islam websites that have sprouted in recent years. Marry that with ignorance and the end result is lethal, Antepli says.

The Center for American Progress, a liberal research and advocacy organization, published a report last year that attributed the rise of Islamophobia to a "small, tightly-networked group of misinformation experts."

The report called "Fear, Inc." lists seven foundations that gave $42.6 million to think tanks to promote anti-Islamic thought.

It describes "deeply intertwined individuals and organizations" that "manufacture and exaggerate threats of 'creeping Sharia,' Islamic domination of the West, and purported obligatory calls to violence against all non-Muslims by the Quran."

The issue of Sharia, say some Muslims, has become a political hot potato in an election year.

"Subjecting American citizens to foreign laws is inimical to the spirit of the Constitution. It is one reason we oppose U.S. participation in the International Criminal Court. There must be no use of foreign law by U.S. courts in interpreting our Constitution and laws. Nor should foreign sources of law be used in State courts' adjudication of criminal or civil matters."

That's the message Miller hopes people will take away from next week's 9/11 meeting; that the tenets of Islam go against the constitution of the United States.

It's diametrically opposed to what people like Antepli and Kaur will be saying as America remembers the horror of terrorism. Hateful sentiment, they say, is not the answer.

soundoff(2,383 Responses)

Oh my god Satan in my mind made me say crazy thing for you. I am so sorry Mohammad, p.i.s.s be upon him.

September 5, 2012 at 8:43 pm |

Fealtytree

60:1 O ye who believe! Take not my enemies and yours as friends (or protectors),- offering them (your) love, even though they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, and have (on the contrary) driven out the Prophet and yourselves (from your homes), (simply) because ye believe in Allah your Lord! If ye have come out to strive in My Way and to seek My Good Pleasure, (take them not as friends), holding secret converse of love (and friendship) with them: for I know full well all that ye conceal and all that ye reveal. And any of you that does this has strayed from the Straight Path.

60:2 If they were to get the better of you, they would behave to you as enemies, and stretch forth their hands and their tongues against you for evil: and they desire that ye should reject the Truth.

60:13 O ye who believe! Turn not (for friendship) to people on whom is the Wrath of Allah, of the Hereafter they are already in despair, just as the Unbelievers are in despair about those (buried) in graves.

62:6 Say: "O ye that stand on Judaism! If ye think that ye are friends to Allah, to the exclusion of (other) men, then express your desire for Death, if ye are truthful!"

62:7 But never will they express their desire (for Death), because of the (deeds) their hands have sent on before them! and Allah knows well those that do wrong!

62:8 Say: "The Death from which ye flee will truly overtake you: then will ye be sent back to the Knower of things secret and open: and He will tell you (the truth of) the things that ye did!"

59:14 They will not fight you (even) together, except in fortified townships, or from behind walls. Strong is their fighting (spirit) amongst themselves: thou wouldst think they were united, but their hearts are divided: that is because they are a people devoid of wisdom.

59:13 Of a truth ye are stronger (than they) because of the terror in their hearts, (sent) by Allah. This is because they are men devoid of understanding

49:17 They impress on thee as a favour that they have embraced Islam. Say, "Count not your Islam as a favour upon me: Nay, Allah has conferred a favour upon you that He has guided you to the faith, if ye be true and sincere

"Let those fight in the cause of God Who sell the life of this world for the hereafter. To him who fighteth in the cause of God,- whether he is slain or gets victory – Soon shall We give him a reward of great (value). (The Noble Quran, 4:74)"

5:82 Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans...

4:104And slacken not in following up the enemy: If ye are suffering hardships, they are suffering similar hardships; but ye have Hope from Allah, while they have none. And Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

4:84Then fight in Allah's cause – Thou art held responsible only for thyself – and rouse the believers. It may be that Allah will restrain the fury of the Unbelievers; for Allah is the strongest in might and in punishment.

Noble Quran 6:31 Lost indeed are they who treat it as a falsehood that they must meet Allah,- until on a sudden the hour is on them, and they say: "Ah! woe unto us that we took no thought of it"; for they bear their burdens on their backs, and evil indeed are the burdens that they bear

2:75.Do you (faithful believers) covet that they will believe in your religion inspite of the fact that a party of them (Jewish rabbis) used to hear the Word of Allâh [the Taurât (Torah)], then they used to change it knowingly after they understood it?

Quran 5:13 And because of their breaking their covenant, We have cursed them and made hard their hearts. They change words from their context and forget a part of that whereof they were admonished. Thou wilt not cease to discover treachery from all save a few of them

“Or have they even a share in the Sovereignty? Then in that case, they would not give mankind even the speck on a date stone.” (An-Nisa’:53)

Allah Almighty also says: “And thou wilt find them greediest of mankind for life and (greedier) than the idolaters.” (Al-Baqarah:96)

“They restrained not one another from the wickedness they did. Verily evil was that they used to do!” (Al-MA’idah:79)

“Is it ever so that when ye make a covenant a party of you set it aside? The truth is, most of them believe not.” (Al-Baqarah: 100)

“Some of those who are Jews change words from their context and say: "We hear and disobey; hear thou as one who heareth not" and "Listen to us!" distorting with their tongues and slandering religion. If they had said: "We hear and we obey; hear thou, and look at us" it had been better for them, and more upright. But Allah hath cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, save a few.” (An-Nisa’:46)

“If a lucky chance befall you, it is evil unto them, and if disaster strike you they rejoice thereat.” (Al-`Imran:120)

“And when they fall in with those who believe, they say: We believe; but when they go apart to their devils they declare: Lo! we are with you; verily we did but mock.” (Al-Baqarah: 14)

Quran 3:77. Verily, those(jews) who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's Covenant and their oaths, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter (Paradise). Neither will Allah speak to them, nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they shall have a painful torment.

Glory be to Allah.

September 5, 2012 at 8:41 pm |

AusieSceptic1

you do realise that no one has the patience to read through your cut and paste?

September 5, 2012 at 8:49 pm |

slack_daddy

Wow to be bound up by all those laws, treat your neighbor how you want to be treated. Simple. Education in the 21st century should be more enlightening and interesting. Give up on memorizing 2000 yr old stuff meant to scare people into believing.

September 5, 2012 at 8:52 pm |

Dennis

There is no glory in Allah only deception,misery and violence.

September 5, 2012 at 8:59 pm |

Mojonaamdi

Fealtytree quotes many verses in isolation and I am not sure but I believe that he/she is using the Hilali/khan translation that has ben discredited for it's very biased and anti Jewish commentary and often deceptive in its translation by placing certain words in brackets as if those words were implied or actually in teh original Arabic when they were not. I take one verse quoted above, i.e., Baqara 96 or Sura 2 verse 96;

Quote "Allah Almighty also says: “And thou wilt find them greediest of mankind for life and (greedier) than the idolaters.” (Al-Baqarah:96)"

Here is the context and actual translation by Muhammad Asad:

2:92 And indeed, there came unto you Moses with all evidence of the truth – and thereupon. in his absence, you took to worshipping the (golden] calf, and acted wickedly.
2:93 And, lo, We accepted your solemn pledge, raising Mount Sinai high above you, [saying,] "Hold fast with [all your] strength unto what We have vouchsafed you, and hearken unto it!" [But] they say, "We have heard, but we disobey" – for their hearts are filled to overflowing with love of the [golden] calf because of their refusal to acknowledge the truth. Say: "Vile is what this [false] belief of yours enjoins upon you-if indeed you are believers!"
2:94 Say: "If an afterlife with God is to be for you alone, to the exclusion of all other people, then. you should long for death-if what you say is true!"
2:95 But never will they long for it, because [they are aware] of what their hands have sent ahead in this world: and God has full knowledge of evildoers.
2:96 And thou wilt most certainly find that they cling to life more eagerly than any other people, even more than those who are bent on ascribing divinity to other beings beside God: every one of them would love to live a thousand years, although the grant of long life could not save him from suffering [in the hereafter]: for God sees all that they do.
2:97 SAY [O Prophet]: "Whosoever is an enemy of Gabriel" -who,, verily, by God's leave, has brought down upon thy heart this [divine writ] which confirms the truth of whatever there still remains [of earlier revelations], and is a guidance and a glad tiding for the believers-:
2:98 "whosover is an enemy of God and His angels and His message-bearers, including Gabriel and Michael, [should know that,] verily, God is the enemy of all who deny the truth."
2:99 For, clear messages indeed have We bestowed upon thee from on high; and none denies their truth save the iniquitous.

So you see my friends, this in context is nothing new. Surely the same story is told in the Bible. But when one takes a verse from the Qur'an or Bible or any holy book, in isolation even if badly translated, it really does no good and is in fact a deceitful and despecable practice.

September 5, 2012 at 9:02 pm |

Fealtytree

Patience is a virtue, if you are truthful you will know when the soul reaches your throat and all is made understood.

September 5, 2012 at 9:03 pm |

Fealtytree

There is absolutely nothing "out of context" the entire chapter speaks about Jews exclusively why did you start with Sura 2 verse 92?

why not verse 83 :

83. And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but Allah. treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular charity. Then did ye turn back, except a few among you, and ye backslide (even now).

84. And remember We took your covenant (to this effect): Shed no blood amongst you, nor turn out your own people from your homes: and this ye solemnly ratified, and to this ye can bear witness.

85. After this it is ye, the same people, who slay among yourselves, and banish a party of you from their homes; assist (Their enemies) against them, in guilt and rancour; and if they come to you as captives, ye ransom them, though it was not lawful for you to banish them. Then is it only a part of the Book that ye believe in, and do ye reject the rest? but what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life?- and on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty. For Allah is not unmindful of what ye do.

86. These are the people who buy the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter: their penalty shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.

87. We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of apostles; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you an apostle with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride?- Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay!

88. They say, "Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah.s Word: we need no more)." Nay, Allah.s curse is on them for their blasphemy: Little is it they believe.

89. And when there comes to them a Book from Allah, confirming what is with them,- although from of old they had prayed for victory against those without Faith,- when there comes to them that which they (should) have recognised, they refuse to believe in it but the curse of Allah is on those without Faith.

90. Miserable is the price for which they have sold their souls, in that they deny (the revelation) which Allah has sent down, in insolent envy that Allah of His Grace should send it to any of His servants He pleases: Thus have they drawn on themselves Wrath upon Wrath. And humiliating is the punishment of those who reject Faith.

91. When it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah Hath sent down, "they say, "We believe in what was sent down to us:" yet they reject all besides, even if it be Truth confirming what is with them. Say: "Why then have ye slain the prophets of Allah in times gone by, if ye did indeed believe?"

92. There came to you Moses with clear (Signs); yet ye worshipped the calf (Even) after that, and ye did behave wrongfully.

93. And remember We took your covenant and We raised above you (the towering height) of Mount (Sinai): (Saying): "Hold firmly to what We have given you, and hearken (to the Law)": They said:" We hear, and we disobey:" And they had to drink into their hearts (of the taint) of the calf because of their Faithlessness. Say: "Vile indeed are the behests of your Faith if ye have any faith!"

94. Say: "If the last Home, with Allah, be for you specially, and not for anyone else, then seek ye for death, if ye are sincere."

95. But they will never seek for death, on account of the (sins) which their hands have sent on before them. and Allah is well-acquainted with the wrong-doers.

96. Thou wilt indeed find them, of all people, most greedy of life,-even more than the idolaters: Each one of them wishes He could be given a life of a thousand years: But the grant of such life will not save him from (due) punishment. For Allah sees well all that they do.

97. Say: Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel-for he brings down the (revelation) to thy heart by Allah.s will, a confirmation of what went before, and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe,-

98. Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and apostles, to Gabriel and Michael,- Lo! Allah is an enemy to those who reject Faith.

99. We have sent down to thee Manifest Signs (ayat); and none reject them but those who are perverse.

100. Is it not (the case) that every time they make a covenant, some party among them throw it aside?- Nay, Most of them are faithless.

101. And when there came to them an apostle from Allah, confirming what was with them, a party of the people of the Book threw away the Book of Allah behind their backs, as if (it had been something) they did not know!

You can't use cheap shot tricks on Muslims, Christians maybe.

September 5, 2012 at 9:08 pm |

hinduism source of hindufilthyracism.

Someone save my Mohammad. He is burning in hell. I smell his burning flesh. Please help my Mohammad.

September 5, 2012 at 8:40 pm |

Muslim

Pleas remember what you wrote because god will not forget.

September 5, 2012 at 8:51 pm |

LIVE

thats what the government should worry about, if us the USA stayed away from Israel and the Middle east we would be paradise over here considering all the cash we spend over there.

September 5, 2012 at 8:38 pm |

alf564

Israel is OUR first line of defense in the middle east .... wake up

September 5, 2012 at 8:53 pm |

slack_daddy

Education is the key, why do we try to follow laws written by men from 2000 years ago when we have all of this science around us telling us differently. We are in need of hope and afraid of being here alone, I guess. Rather than sending our guys and tanks etc to Afghanistan Iraq or where ever we should send TV's connected to Science/Discovery/National Geo. How many people there realise we have an International space station? Rover on Mars? Etc etc

September 5, 2012 at 8:33 pm |

Crazy Islam

Only religion today with so much violence. Something is really not right.

I read Koran five times a day and my mind goes tut tut tut when I write. I want to take Mohammad out of my mind. Someone help me please.

September 5, 2012 at 8:46 pm |

Achmed The Dead Terrorist

SILENT

I KILL YOU

September 5, 2012 at 10:16 pm |

PraiseTheLard

Islam is no better or worse than any other made-up religion... they're all nothing but total frauds...

September 5, 2012 at 8:30 pm |

Cleanup Philly

Well, one seems to have a higher body count of late:

Islam's Latest Contributions to Peace
"Mohammed is God's apostle. Those who follow him are harsh
to the unbelievers but merciful to one another" Quran 48:29

2012.09.05 (Datykh, Ingushetia) – Mujahideen ambush and kill six Russians.
2012.09.04 (Tuz Khurmatu, Iraq) – Terrorists massacre six Iraqis with automatic weapons.
2012.09.04 (Dor Baba, Afghanistan) – Over two dozen mourners at a funeral are blasted into bits by a Fedayeen suicide bomber.
2012.09.03 (New Marte, Nigeria) – Two civilians and a cop are murdered by Boko Haram gunmen.
2012.09.03 (Peshawar, Pakistan) – Two civilians are killed in a suicide car bomb attack on a U.S. Consulate vehicle.
2012.09.02 (Gao, Mali) – A kidnapped Algerian diplomat is executed in captivity by al-Qaeda.

from therelgionofpeacedotcom.

September 5, 2012 at 9:18 pm |

Potrzebie

Can't we just march these idiots straight into the ocean? I am sick to death of hearing about this "Sharia Law" straw man BS. There is no underestimating the absolute stupidity of the American public. Get a life losers.

September 5, 2012 at 8:30 pm |

Cleanup Philly

Who brought up sharia law to begin with, and demanded that in the name of diversity and multiculturalism that it be implemented in US law? Not non-Muslims.

And if Obama is such a huge great support of Israel, why did he remove language in the DNC platform that states that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel? It was a sop to the new Muslim vote and the money. Muslims call Jerusalem their own, a place they cannot share with the nonbelievers of Islam, and refuses to a peace agreement until there is no Israel with a capital Jerusalem. Why? Per their own Koranic law, the sharia.

The Dems were hoping no one would notice this sop to sharia.

Why did so many delegates oppose the vote to reinstate the language? Be careful who you lay with.

The truth is that the Muslim religion is being used as a geopolitical wedge issue.

September 5, 2012 at 9:01 pm |

Ray

Hate is not the answer. My heart goes out to all those affected by hate crimes.

September 5, 2012 at 8:29 pm |

Burhan

Bets that the muslims burned down their own mosque for the money and attention, to cast blame on Americans.

September 5, 2012 at 8:34 pm |

Susan

I hope you include in that all of the Christians and Hindus who are mercilessly persecuted by Muslims in the Middle East and Asia. No one does hate crimes like the Muslims. I know, I'm a Coptic Orthodox Christian. Islam to me is like Nazism to a Jew.

September 5, 2012 at 8:45 pm |

Cleanup Philly

I agree Ray, but let's not forget these guys:

http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/

Where are there more victims of hate? Victims in the US, or victims of Islam around the world? There were several Islamic inspired murders only this week.

Islam's Latest Contributions to Peace
"Mohammed is God's apostle. Those who follow him are harsh
to the unbelievers but merciful to one another" Quran 48:29

2012.09.05 (Datykh, Ingushetia) – Mujahideen ambush and kill six Russians.
2012.09.04 (Tuz Khurmatu, Iraq) – Terrorists massacre six Iraqis with automatic weapons.
2012.09.04 (Dor Baba, Afghanistan) – Over two dozen mourners at a funeral are blasted into bits by a Fedayeen suicide bomber.
2012.09.03 (New Marte, Nigeria) – Two civilians and a cop are murdered by Boko Haram gunmen.
2012.09.03 (Peshawar, Pakistan) – Two civilians are killed in a suicide car bomb attack on a U.S. Consulate vehicle.
2012.09.02 (Gao, Mali) – A kidnapped Algerian diplomat is executed in captivity by al-Qaeda.

September 5, 2012 at 9:16 pm |

ug

Keep sharia out of this country and keep moslems out of it also! we don't need the filth in this country!

September 5, 2012 at 8:27 pm |

Bryan

Could you please leave as well...none of us want someone like you around making the rest of us look like total idiots.

September 5, 2012 at 8:28 pm |

hinduism source of hindufilthyracism.

hind, filth of hinduism, illegality stems from hindu's, deniers of truth absolute, God and they hind stink worst than a hindu filthy skunk, only one need's to be kept out are hindu's deniers of truth absolute, God, foundation of America. For more visit http://www.limitisthetruth.com/

September 5, 2012 at 8:33 pm |

Achmed The Dead Terrorist

SILENT I KILL YOU
SILENT

I KILL YOU

September 5, 2012 at 10:17 pm |

Ivanhoe

For more insight into Sharia Law, Islam, and the Middle East – read the novels based upon direct experience working and living in the Middle East --- king of Bat'ha by Hashim, and the sequel - Tales from the East: Return of Ivanhoe by Ivanhoe.

September 5, 2012 at 8:26 pm |

lewtwo

IIslam: The world's largest and most barbaric dis-organized hate group.

September 5, 2012 at 8:26 pm |

Bryan

I assume then you think the same of Christianity....history shows that Christianity is responsible for more violent deaths than Islam

September 5, 2012 at 8:29 pm |

Cleanup Philly

Let's talk about now. Let's talk about violence that happened this week.

September 5, 2012 at 9:03 pm |

Cleanup Philly

Bryan, there have been almost 20,000 murders committed in the name of Islam SINCE 9/11.

That's a violent religiion, or if you prefer, a religion being used for violence.

http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/

September 5, 2012 at 9:15 pm |

toydrum

"...people who feel the American way of life is threatened by Islam..."

I feel that the American way of life is threatened by the xenophobic cowards masquerading as Christians. They prefer ignorance, rumor and fear to any kind of substantive knowledge. This is no different than the old "No dogs or Irish need apply" or the fear of reds under the bed.

September 5, 2012 at 8:23 pm |

Cleanup Philly

Not exactly:

http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/

There is a violent Islamopolitical surge of violence in the world now. It is naive to deny it.

September 5, 2012 at 9:21 pm |

HeavenSent

Other day I picked up a copy of Quran and went to relieve my upset stomach. Although there was nothing noteworthy inside the book, it was an interesting time passing book. I extend my hand to grab a paper but there were none, an attempt by Satan to embarrass me. Guess what no one but Quran itself came to rescue. I said thank you Quran for saving my crappy asss. That evening, I lit a candle and said prayer to give Quran a place in heaven for self-sacrifice for a noble cause.

Amen

September 5, 2012 at 8:23 pm |

Mojonaamdi

I presume that you are a Christian or Jew or a believer of God since youmention heaven, So I must ask you if your faith – whatever it is condones saying crass things about another religion? You arte an embarrassment to your faith and humanity.

September 5, 2012 at 8:34 pm |

Nancy

That was funny.

September 5, 2012 at 9:02 pm |

ScottCA

The bible is of equal intellectual worth. Meaning it offers nothing, for it explains nothing in the natural world.
There is absolutely no evidence for god. It is all in your imagination.

September 5, 2012 at 9:45 pm |

Ayesha

Islamic Sharia is not being enforced anywhere in this country. I dont see what the huge fear is about. Actual muslims are having such a hard time following sharia, forget about encouraging others.

September 5, 2012 at 8:21 pm |

Mona

because they have been prevented from implementing it., as in Oklahoma for one instance. Capisce?

September 5, 2012 at 8:27 pm |

Cleanup Philly

Did you read the article? There were examples of it.

September 5, 2012 at 9:13 pm |

steve

The bigger issue is anti-semitism in the White House and at the DNC.

September 5, 2012 at 8:20 pm |

midwest rail

Nonsense.

September 5, 2012 at 8:28 pm |

Dumbledore Vs God

Leave it to the Jews to hate the Dems. All y'all living in a fantasy world where a magic being living in the sky saves your sorry asses from some imagined hell. Pitifull way to lead your lives, hoping and praying for something better when you could be working on making life better righ here and now.

September 5, 2012 at 8:52 pm |

Cleanup Philly

Why was the language supporting Jerusalem as the capital of Israel removed from the DNC platform then? Just an "omission?" That's one serious omission.

It was a sop to the new Muslim faction of the Democratic party. They don't want Israel to have Jerusalem. Why? it's in the sharia, naturally.

You guys should do some reading outside the assigned liberal play book. Muslims are big news at the DNC this year: historic number of delegates, almost took out a key DNC plank in the platform supporting Israel.

Nothing can be beautiful, in perfection without strict following of fundamental of design, Every one should follow fundamental of truth absolute extremely beautifully, in perfection for a beautiful, perfect results, No human can have problem with following of fundamental but hindu's criminals out to deny other's their right of peace, Islam. Way of hindu's, criminals in their hindu Judaism, filthy secularism.
Word Jew is based on Latin word Yahood, Je or Ja, Ye, or Ya, meaning from heart and mind base word for Yes in English, HOOD, habit or habitat, meaning, self centered or a secular, denier of truth absolute, such as King, or Pig, in disregard to truth absolute and Judaism, One who takes a wow to be in violation of truth by his intent, considering himself to be the God, the truth absolute, same as in hindu, denier of truth absolute, word hindu is based on Latin word hindrance, negativity, HAN, great, Hun, to be in greatness and hin, to be negative to both of them, hindu, a noun in negativity, hinduism, way of negativity, as in word Jew, a self centered or a criminal, otherwise known as a goon, a shaman. Judaism is not a religion but in opposition, defiance to truth absolute in self center ism. To learn more, visit http://www.limitisthetruth.com/

September 5, 2012 at 8:19 pm |

hinduism source of hindufilthyracism.

Mohammad, p.i.s.s be upon him is making me write garbage here.

September 5, 2012 at 8:33 pm |

Mojonaamdi

I am a Muslim. I hope to God that you are not writing this as a Muslim. This whole nonsense about Hinduism being filthy racism and about the Jew meaning denier of truth is just garbage. Shame on you for writing this. WIthrespect to teh Jews, God refers to them (& Christians and Sabeans) with an honorofic name, i.e., "People of the Book". God also says in the Qur'an that "Messengers were sent to all nations" and that includes the Hindus. Almighty God warns you in the Qur'an not to curse other people's religion for if they curse yours in retaliation, it is as if you have cursed your own religion. So now, read below and see how many times people are cursing Islam because of you.

m00 – child, slim – molestor – mooslim is the molestor of children, and that is why hindus and jews have to get together and hinder your barberic acts. Finally america figured out you muslim terrorists and screwed you. Good for America. As an Indian-American America is greater than any mooslim terrorist. Hopefully you will all be thrown out of this great country you inhuman sick people.

September 5, 2012 at 8:54 pm |

Achmed The Dead Terrorist

SILENT I KILL YOU ALL

September 5, 2012 at 10:19 pm |

Maan

We are human beings, What makes us different is ability to think and make decisions for our self. Just like at any decision, you have to collect facts and than make a decision. All I am saying is educate your self. Make your own decision rather than what you are told to belief by media. Life is short and as a fact, we all have to die, find truth before you die.

September 5, 2012 at 8:16 pm |

Atheism is not healthy for children and other living things

Prayer changes things .

September 5, 2012 at 8:12 pm |

Royce Koon Jr.

In fact Atheism is good for children while christianity is very bad. Why? Because the truth is always better than a lie. Why don't 21 year olds still believe in Santa? Because at some point in life parents decide it is better to know the truth rather than to continue in a lie (even if the lie is fun).

September 5, 2012 at 8:30 pm |

Rob

Yeah, if you have never traveled anywhere else in the world. I am an atheist, and I'm happier than I ever was as a practicing Catholic. You are one of the religious do-gooders that need to shut your mouth. Why don't you go pray for a cure for cancer or cure for aids. They seem to be doing a perfect job right about now.

September 5, 2012 at 8:43 pm |

wjeri

Islam was a religion thought of by a military general named Muhammad. The purpose to to set rules and teachings in order to bring many peoples together to fight for him and resist all others and their ways. Now we have this whole mess to deal with.

September 5, 2012 at 8:09 pm |

bcur

You are one of the most ignorant people I've heard. As are several many people on this board. I truly hope that you have no children and very few friends so no human will have to hear the nonsense you spout out.

The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.